Researchers at the University of Arkansas have reported that ultra-low voltage electricity is effective at killing bacteria because it causes membranes that surround bacteria to leak. Their research focuses on developing strategies to fight drug-resistant bacteria.
The team used E. coli bacteria to demonstrated that ultra-low voltage applied for 30 minutes created holes in the cell's membrane enabling leakage of small molecules, ions and proteins. This induced membrane permeability led to the bacteria’s destruction.
While the antimicrobial property of electricity has long been known, it was not completely understood how ultra-low voltages damage and ultimately kill bacteria until this new finding, said Yong Wang, assistant professor of physics. Their findings were published in the journal, Applied and Environmental Microbiology.
"The electric power we used is very low," said Wang. "A household battery can provide enough power. So can a one-centimeter square solar panel."
Applications of low electrical power sanitation could be used in hospital surfaces and any large population volume location that needs cheap and repeated sterilization.